Seattle Archbishop To Retire, Pope Appoints Successor

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Roman Catholic Archbishop J. Peter Sartain will retire soon due to ongoing health issues, the archdiocese has announced. Meanwhile, Pope Francis has appointed a coadjutor to take over when Sartain steps down.

Anchorage, Ala., Archbishop Paul D. Etienne was appointed on Monday by the Pope to share duties in Seattle until Sartain retires. The Seattle Archdiocese covers all of Western Washington from Canada to Oregon.

Since 2012, Sartain has had a back condition that has required three spinal surgeries. Sartain officially asked Pope Francis to appoint a coadjutor in September.

“Archbishop Etienne and I will finalize the date later this year on which he will formally succeed me as Archbishop of Seattle,” Sartain said in a statement on Monday. "Archbishop Etienne is a wonderful shepherd whose love for the Lord is expressed through a deep prayer life and devotion to the sacraments, as well as contagious enthusiasm for the proclamation of the Gospel and service to those in need in the name of Jesus."

Etienne is originally from Tell City, Ind., and previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He will officially join the Seattle Archdiocese at a June “Rite of Reception” Mass at St. James Cathedral.